Party Time: Girly Glam

I was asked to come up with unique graduation party decor that people could make themselves. I love designing around and theme, so this was really fun for me. You can adapt these ideas for any type of party...think baby shower, birthday party, anniversary...  

My first theme is Girly Glam!  I've incorporated my favorite girly color scheme, florals, and vintage gold! 

This centerpiece can be easily made at home!

Products I used:
Fusion Mineral Paint - Casement
Fusion Metallics - Vintage Gold
Fusion Decoupage and Transfer Gel

Tools Needed:
Paint Brush
Glue Gun
Wire Clippers
Sand paper
Painter's Tape
Number stamps, Ink, Embossing Powder, Heat Gun

Other Stuff:
Wood Circle, Wood Bead, Wood Stick, Glass Vase, Colored Poms, Green Floral Stems, Tissue Paper

I started off this project by painting my wood circle with Fusion Mineral Paint in a bright white called Casement.

After the paint dried, I applied a thin layer of Fusion's Decoupage and Transfer Gel. I pressed my tissue paper down on top and smoothed out all the bubbles. You want your tissue paper to hang over the edges of what you are covering.

After the transfer gel dried, I lightly sanded the edges of the circle to remove the extra paper. I sand the edges off instead of cut because it is much easier to get a nice, clean, straight edge. I also love how sanding leaves a slightly distressed look and blends the paper in with the wood. 

Next, I did my glass vase. I bought this one at the Dollar Store, you can find inexpensive vases in many places (maybe even your own storage room). I wanted to spruce it up a bit and give it that metallic dipped look.
I used Fusion Mineral Paint Metallics. Vintage Gold matched my tissue paper perfectly!  I also used painter's tape and a foam brush.

First, I taped off the section I wanted to paint.

Then I painted with a foam brush. I started off using a regular paint brush, but it was showing too many brush stokes and not covering well, so I switched.

I set my vase upside down to dry and put my brush in a ziploc so I could use it again. I applied three coats of paint (allowing to dry between coats). Finally, I pulled off my tape, and viola!  A metallic dipped vase!

The pom stems are pretty quick and easy, you just have to have the stuff. I ordered my colored poms online, but I think you can find them at most craft stores. I also used green wire stems, a wire clippers, and a glue gun.

I first trimmed my green wire stems with my wire clippers. You want them to be varying lengths.

To get the poms on the stems, I poked a hole in the pom with the wire stem, filled the hole with hot glue, then pushed onto the stem. Easy-peasy!

Last, I made the little flag. I found a wood bead and stick in my stash, but I'm sure you can purchase something similar at a craft store. I used my Fusion Metallics again for this part, the hot glue gun, and my stamps and embossing materials. 

I painted the round wooden bead Vintage Gold. I hot glued the stick inside the hole. I then cut a small triangle out of white cardstock. I chose to stamp and emboss the year on the flag since this was designed for a graduation. I glued the paper flag to the pole, and my set was complete!

Other Ideas

A window makes a really cute photo display. You can string some of your extra poms onto thread to make an adorable pom garland!

If you don't have tiered serving trays, you can stack things you have in order to create tiers and add height and visual interest to your food serving table.

I hope you found this tutorial helpful and inspiring!  Happy party decorating!

~ Jenny